---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: tuhin choudary <tuhinchoudary@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 15 May, 2021, 7:37 pm
Subject: Fwd: Veterans, Indian Armed Forces & MoD - A Bleak Future?
To: Ranga Rao TS. Brig Geetha <tsrangarao@xxxxxxxxx>
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: BS Dhaliwal <bachidhaliwal@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sun, 9 May, 2021, 8:43 am
Subject: Veterans, Indian Armed Forces & MoD - A Bleak Future?
To:
"It is time for the MoD to realise that their job is to look after the
‘morale’ of soldiers and not to lower it. Past precedence of fighting
veterans in courts on various issues does not lend to it a good image."
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Mission Victory India
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Veterans, Indian Armed Forces & MoD - A Bleak Future?
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By Brigadier Pradeep Sharma (Retd) – 08 May 2021 – View online →
<http://email.mails.missionvictoryindia.com/c/eJx1jstqwzAURL_G2snoYcn2Qgs5JiSQfddXr0bEtookB_r3dbwvDAMzw70cp5zkg0NRMcIoEWSggvZUtrTtZjmxifaXq9B61HPTkRXiUto1lhLT9o62pvwbNxehtWlFTzUyECLIrrNhGCnhVB5JUN5zB9AZixb1rPWnNFw37Hron1fH8vbVZ9gKPssNQ169wyFl6wtek8OAzeLhhcNe9-yPC5TVpC-3-3zTj_uXfhy83x_gk60qsy8v7D8FOh1HpyQZJZgeAoAJwLnnAyNjL_4AjTBYMQ>
I prided myself in joining the regiment my father served in as did many of
us who followed their father’s footsteps in what was considered the best
tradition in the best organisation. Invariably greeted and welcomed by all
ranks, not to forget the elder community of veterans who we had learnt to
refer to as uncles and aunts. It was an extended family. What has changed
over the past decade or so? Most battalions lament a break in the ‘family’
as less and less number of army brats join. Apart from a larger number of
opportunities elsewhere, are there other reasons for this? I intend looking
into the other angle as dispassionately as possible.
Attitudinal Changes
After the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government took charge a
number of actions and directions were received from the Ministry of Defence
(MoD) and Army Headquarters (AHQ) what do these reflect and how are they
perceived? Do they force a change in attitude bordering on
insensitivity/indifference towards veterans? Do they protect organisational
interests? In the long run will these be good for the country? It is not my
intention to criticise an individual or political party but to merely bring
to fore a perceived opinion on what many veterans may just be feeling.
We prided ourselves in the sense of tradition, the larger or extended
family and a great feeling of belongingness. The battalion was our ‘go to’
place for anything! So was the military station/cantonment. Be it any
reason, a morning walk, a raising day, a battle honor, a personal issue
like marriages, deaths, or any other occasion. Has this changed? At the
unit as well as station level, everyone is bound by the directions flowing
from top, therefore while the heart may be in the right place and willing
to do right, actions cannot go against these directions.
*Available at Canteens near you! Visit: Weikfield.com
<http://email.mails.missionvictoryindia.com/c/eJwdjcsOgjAURL-G7iS3D27bRRdFYjRx77qlRW4EMYIa_14wmUwyszgnuYTSJEZOgOBQgeEV1xxLXqoGa1FzvT9U3lvfFArGQMNcjjTPNN3f1C7T80v3RKFsp5H1TsncobWQdFKAEVujENFGCwpNi5wNrl-Wx1xIX4jDmk-mW0d5SBtg3ezpar8_npqjP58u_rw6r5v0z19cfA23Xd4O9u8dJYdgMUQduhBiF6TM0giwuvoBAAxBDw>*
A Brief Recap of Watershed Events Leading to the Growing Chasm those
Serving & Veterans
The lack of support to veterans in their quest for better financial
standing by seeking One Rank One Pension (OROP)/Non-Functional Financial
Upgradation (NFFU). A complete silence for OROP and Opposing NFFU says
much. Then there was the erstwhile Chief reportedly going on record to
state that he is not the ‘Chief for veterans’ at the Manekshaw Center in
Delhi Cantonment as widely publicised on social media. Followed by the
erstwhile Adjutant General (AG) going on record to distastefully criticise
veterans in his interview to a news channel, the video went viral.
There have been increased litigations involving MoD and veterans on various
issues fully backed by AHQ in many a case. We don’t see any such action by
the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)! We have witnessed a reduction in
Canteen Stores Department (CSD) entitlements and conflicting directions to
the medical services in treatment and entitlement of veterans and
dependents by initially permitting them, then denying them treatment and
subsequently opening Military Hospitals (MH) to civilians at the cost of
keeping veterans out.
Mission Victory India dated 6 May 2021 quotes Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
<http://email.mails.missionvictoryindia.com/c/eJx1jsGugyAQRb9GdxjAOsiCBdY0bdL9W4OATp5KI7RJ__7R7l8ymcXcOyfHKQdt72pUnHJGO9qzjgkGDWtOIwx8YOJ86bSWeqxOdDO4pmbDlDDuL5xyPN64OzTNFLd6UUxACL0AJy114ADA-kLvIfQSGG_rVS05P1LV6opfyvyDKknAecm4zyQvnmBpJLSrJ37325ts0SVy-PSIe_IkRzLFFzrCJEnPY_blvT7UoM_X23jV99uPvhf5-WP_Fc3KPtdf4j-H-rsJOgVUgrHCBGNsMG1bzDmVovsDl5VdKw>as
saying “I have directed the Armed Forces to extend all possible help to the
civil administration. People have great faith and trust in the Armed
forces.” Then a Press Information Bureau (PIB) brief dated 6 April lists
out which Military Hospitals have opened for civilians, it includes Lucknow
and Ahmadabad, do politicians in high positions have personal interest!?
Quite similar to the issue of opening cantonment land in Hyderabad!
Then there is the case of the Base Hospital Delhi Cantt, running short of
oxygen and moving court, leading onto a battle in courts, followed by a Live
law report of 6 May 2021’ Armed Forces Cannot setup Field Hospitals, cannot
aid civil administration in these times
<http://email.mails.missionvictoryindia.com/c/eJw9UMuOgzAM_JpyMyI8QjlwSFtVrdT7nk1sFmtDqEhatH-_oYeVLEszfmhmqCddHSmTvixKVTTFUTWqVTpXeX3Rp_Kk2vO1MaYzl0NdzCgu5LOEIIt_i43L-iueBHO7zNnUc02dsjVr1VYFqXGwpHWLI9rWkq1U5vopxmc4VOZQXlNt25Y7ebPDLRefCM9bgNeTMHJIENeZCcZltRzAovdLhMAxbcAo7AimJTwlovufohBYeYsDpFm8hLhiTGpBPMSJA0OUeX_GPq4JsEu3xG4SmOR7Aru81ghJv-7KbO1P5ny7X27mcf8yj5TA9x7Bx23sh5f7Ad6J7NNBqNdFp3HYLeMwYlVxdSyLrm3-ABDBdzs>:
Center tells Delhi High Court, 7 May Indian Express; Delhi High Court
refuses calling in the Army
<http://email.mails.missionvictoryindia.com/c/eJw1UMuKwzAM_JrmpmDHeTiHHNKW0kLve1b82GjXiYPtdrd_v05hQUijgRmh0YNuhdQFDRWrOGuY5A3veFvysj63x-rIu9OlGcd-PB9qtiC5WC4UI_n1SSr58KJVE5bKL8U8MIlWCYmTziayF7rvFDOys7VGw1tbuGFOaYsHMR6qS663eDW_WzAx7iaZw5BIOZORokQmZqCNm-l_wqwgGPuIJoJC52j9BFoBw2I0WB_UzvsnaYjZFjX8-IfTsGFA94oG0mwWsMEvoP2uzTsF2AItGF7w5SfoBGtkX-eDRRiO4-l6O1_H--1jvOcMPvcQ3v-mYXq4bzA7Ubw7kB5a1rc4dWgRJ4tCGCEr1nfNH_ckdjU>
and finally, the MOD going on record to state that the Ex-serviceman’s
Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) had failed and required a review!? The
Tribune of 8 May 2021 refers
<http://email.mails.missionvictoryindia.com/c/eJw9T8GOgyAU_Bq9YQQE5cABa5o26X3PT4GVVKELuKZ_v9rDJi_vzcxh3oyWmtNOl06SmuCa1R1muMW8wlUz8J70uL1cmVJCDUVTr-CWVK0uJRf8r5tyiG_ntYNqCms5S8pAEKIZFmyinSXYai00YGY5NwBNucg551cqqCrI9Zh936sc3bh58-9zyN7s6TyQjz8HWINGP5tJJ03IWOsmmN4oWGSmOSEbIoomu2g0epmYgvdmQaQRbcPLKHt1ud2Hm3rcv9TjaPF91vgkznLclicyp1B-NnJa8lpwGFuwAKMFSg3tSC1a9gfMvV_V>
.
Amongst all the issues mentioned above, the mayhem of COVID-19 cases
continues unabated, and veterans line the military hospitals in despair
after exhausting the possibility of getting help from ECHS empaneled
hospitals which are primarily meant to serve the civilian population, thus
overburdened with the load of Coronavirus patients.
All this while, many Army Hospitals stand virtually helpless in the wake of
confused directions not excluding the letter from the Directorate General
Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) dated 8 April 2021 titled and I
quote, “Age Limit For Wholly Dependent Children of All Ranks” paragraph two
reads… “It is clarified that as on date there is no age limit restriction
for entitlement of wholly dependent unmarried children of serving
personnel. They are entitled for treatment at AFMS hospitals irrespective
of their age.” What happens to them on superannuating? Have these
individuals forgotten that they too will hang their uniform?
Scant regard for dependent veterans, who may have their children too as
wholly dependent on them or, of those in service who have parents as
veterans being denied treatment in military hospitals. Imagine the effect
on moral of a serving soldier deployed on the borders when his parents
being veterans are denied admission in military hospitals and run pillar to
post for treatment. What will happen to wholly dependent children when
those in service retire?
Lastly, a lame duck exercise by AHQ in announcing that veterans will not be
denied treatment at military hospitals amidst all this confusion and rising
reports on social media of veterans dying due to lack of sensitivity and
admission in military hospitals!
*Titles available on Pentagon Press
<http://email.mails.missionvictoryindia.com/c/eJwdzTsPgjAYheFfQzeb3i9DhyIxmrg7f1DQRiiEVon_XjQ5OcO7PMEFxU1A0THCKJHEUEk1VZhi0aia1VQfT9J765tKkAnimPEUc45zeseuzOsnphABd_OEHk6AVtQoDVIyaDsjuFScU9sNlgQiLBrdo5Sl4r5ip33btuGlTwXuc1rWPmcc057R6mp_PF-as79ebv66y_cf_VeKa1_j89D_Avr_IQaniFXQahgA2gE477lhxGr5BbdqQ4g>
and Amazon*
Observations: What could have been Done to Avoid such a Situation?
There is no denying that when Gen Vij as Chief initiated the process for
establishing ECHS it was well intended and done as a visionary for the
future well-being of the growing numbers of veterans. All of us contributed
to it. Over the years, numbers increased manifold, polyclinics were created
to reach out and reduce the load on military facilities by empaneling
private hospitals. This worked well in normal times for a period, an
established system fell in place only to be shattered in the present
situation.
Issues for Consideration
Firstly, veterans will continue to depend on military facilities. Tampering
with the culture and ethos of the armed forces will result in the breaking
down of the very foundations of the army, where one dons the uniform
conscious of the fact that it builds a relationship for life, gets
accustomed to visiting the CSD, units, military hospitals in his hour of
need, considers this his right for life. What of the sense of belongingness
and extended family? Already the youth are looking towards the Central
Armed Police Forces (CAPF) as a better alternative.
Secondly, could we have carried out a study of dependency in each military
hospital and built on it to meet the increased need in this crisis rather
than shut the door to veterans while opening up to civilians? Such figures
would already be known.
Thirdly, could the support to civilians been made available based on the
density of private hospitals in each city, medical and nursing colleges
around and the density of military personnel pointed towards the service
hospital?
Fourthly, taking care of veterans who are Indian citizens first would
invariably have reduced the load on civil hospitals, both government and
private to further open up beds to civilians through reduction in veteran
load while retaining the faith amongst veterans, their kith, and kin as
well.
Tampering by the MoD who control the funds and cracks the whip, has in the
past created challenges, and stifled the system, especially the present
dispensation. This recent statement by MoD can only be viewed as another
attempt to shortchange the defence community and a continued effort to
create further disillusionment amongst not only those in service but the
large and vibrant veteran community without realising that every veteran
has relations including children who are still in service. It is time for
the MoD to realise that their job is to look after the ‘morale’ of soldiers
and not to lower it. Past precedence of fighting veterans in courts on
various issues does not lend to it a good image.
About the Author
*Brig. Sharma is a veteran with 35 years of military experience under his
belt, Brigadier Sharma, was commissioned into the JAT regiment. He has had
rich exposure to the travails of the country in the remotest of areas. He
has seen closely the happenings in J&K, Punjab, Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram in
operational circumstances. In addition, he has had the proud distinction of
being, selected to raise the NSG and being a squadron commander with the 51
SAG, an Instructor in the Indian Military Academy, Colonel General Staff of
an active division, Commander of a Brigade in super HAA, Directing Staff in
Army War college, and the Brig Gen Staff responsible for facilitating the
training in various Military Establishments including the School for
Counter Insurgency & Terrorism & Jungle Warfare. He has been a member of
study groups on China as well as Officer Cadre management in his time.*
*(Views expressed are the authors own, and do not reflect the editorial
policy of 'Mission Victory India')*
Mission Victory India (MVI) is an autonomous defence think tank established
to foster progressive military leadership reforms and to identify and
introduce tangible changes in military selection procedures, training, and
recruitment policy.
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